Global leader in polyethylene beverage maturation tanks, Flextank USA was acquired last week by Vancouver, Washington-based rotational mold pioneer SmaK Plastics, Inc.

Flextank began engineering innovative beverage vessels in the USA in 2006, and very quickly lead the market in new-age wine making with fine and award-winning wines currently being produced in Flextanks in 49 states across the country. The tanks are scientifically engineered to provide tastier results with tremendous cost and space-savings benefits for commercial wine, cider and mead makers over more costly and bulky oak barrels, steel and concrete tank options.

“I’ve used Flextank vessels for 5 vintages with great success and many best in class wines. The versatility and ease of use of the Apollo tank allows me to focus on small lots with attention to detail and allow for gentle skin contact for a clean and proper extraction." says Eric Harris, owner & winemaker of Two EE’s Winery and winner of two International Wine Channel TV 'Rising Star Winemaker' awards (pictured left). Click here to learn more about what award-winning wine makers have to say about their experience using Flextanks.

Sharing over 45 years of tank design and manufacturing experience, SmaK Plastics President Jon Smalley along with VP of Sales Mike Humes were excited to be contracted with Flextank and began production in 2007 by providing contract manufacturing for the rotational molding of the tanks. The partnership was so successful, in 2010 Flextank founders and previous owners John and Jan Smeaton made Mike Humes VP of Operations, further strengthening the bond between companies. In just 7 years, SmaK experienced growth of 1200%.

This April, the Smeatons agreed to sell the assets of Flextank USA to SmaK Plastics with the intention of retiring to their vineyard in Adelaide, Australia in order to be closer to their family. John Smeaton remains on staff as a consultant in new product development while remaining active in the export market.

This acquisition will mean an increase in enhanced-engineering expertise for designing and manufacturing tanks to fit the growing and evolving needs of the wine, cider and mead making communities.

What does this mean for Wine, Cider, and Mead Makers?

Jon Smalley, President

SmaK Plastics & Flextank

“We’ve partnered closely with John Smeaton designing Flextank products, assisting in sales, and becoming deeply ingrained in the world of wine and beverage production, so it became a natural fit for SmaK Plastics to purchase. We are excited to take Flextank to the next level with new products and superior client care for existing and future owners of this great product.”

Mike Humes, VP of Sales

SmaK Plastics & Flextank

“Having worked with both companies for over 7 years, the acquisition of Flextank by SmaK Plastics was a very logical step. SmaK has been doing total fulfillment on Flextank orders for multiple years. We have been bringing customer feedback to our engineering team and are excited to introduce 2 new tanks for 2018- a 120-gallon stacking tank and a 120-gallon cylindrical tank. These new space-saving tanks will be joining the current product portfolio in time for the early harvest this June.

We are confident in the continued growth of Flextank and dedicated to continuing to be the world leader in plastic tanks scientifically-designed for the beverage industry."